FEATURE: WEEKLY EVENTS ROUND UP

OUR WEEKLY ROUND-UP OF THE BEST CULTURAL PICKS FOR THE WEEK

By NARC.
on Monday, November 28th, 2016

Image of John Scott

Stuck for something to do in the next seven days? We aim to have you covered with an event a day for the next week, all across the region. This time around we have political comedy, classic film, incredible plays and a whole lot more…

Monday 28th NovemberCOMEDYFree Thinking Radicals @ The Stand, Newcastle
Rather unsurprisingly, this month is a Donald Trump special for the Free Thinking Radicals who still regularly ask us to sod the Tories and have a nice week. Host John Scott will hold the show together with a panel of talented comics putting the world to rights as we still come to terms with another of 2016’s odd gifts.

Tuesday 29th NovemberFILMMean Streets @ Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle
This underrated gem is one of Martin Scorcese’s most important films. A real character driven piece that’s powerful in its depiction of urban sin and guilt that marked Scorsese’s arrival as an important cinematic voice and features a mesmerising performance from Harvey Keitel as a small-time hoodlum struggling with a moral crisis regarding his friends, family, business, and his conflicting religious beliefs.

Wednesday 30th NovemberSTAGEArcade Scratch: Psy-Feedback @ ARC, Stockton
Four new works in progress are showcased this month at ARC, and you, the audience, are asked to give your responses on how you feel about each performance using techniques straight from the psychobiology lab. This event is unique to ARC, and is back again by popular demand after its first run at November’s Scratch Night. Catching snapshots of not just what you think about the performances, but how you feel about it and how it relates to psychological responses. As well of course showing brand new works in progress from some of ARC’s most exciting artists, including The Quinn’s Speech by John Quinn, Stupid by Sian Armstrong, the apples | the pears by Lisa Matthews and Thinner Blood by Dick Bonham.

Thursday 1st DecemberSTAGEHow To Be A Man @ Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
An interesting solo show is about to take the stage at Alphabetti Theatre on Thursday 1st, Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December, as How To Be A Man uses a combination of true and fictional stories, with the help of two mannequins and a Guide To The Art Of Manliness (a real book, really published in recent times) to look at just what being a man in 2016 really means. The show looks at masculinity, and the questions that it all raises, in our society, on just what manhood means now. With questions both serious and not so serious raised, it’s a delve into the past, present and future of men.

Friday 2nd DecemberMUSICMartin Stephenson & The Daintees @ Sage Gateshead
Three decades on from their debut album, Martin Stephenson & The Daintees are set to play that very same landmark long player Boat To Bolivia in its entirety at Sage Gateshead on Friday. The acoustic guitars, pedal steel, harmonica and double bass of the sound they produced back in 1986 are set to be just as vibrant 30 years on. Majestic melodies and stark, earnest lyrics all make part of a wonderful performance alongside heart-in-your-mouth intimacy with a warm sense of humour and just a smattering of self-deprecation.

Saturday 3rd DecemberART & LITFestival Of The Zine @ B&D Studios, Newcastle
The first Festival Of The Zine earlier this year was a total smash, and popular demand has dictated that Social Enterprise venture Verbal Remedy brings another to arts venue B&D Studios on Saturday. There’s a range of limited edition and regular prints for fans looking for new zines, a craft table for those wanting to make their own and most importantly, it’s a celebration of a DIY art form that’s popular all over the world. There are even special pre-Christmas bonuses, with mince pies, hot chocolate, gift wrapping, a £1 book stall and a raffle.

Sunday 4th DecemberSTAGE Simeon’s Watch @ St Luke’s Church, Newcastle
A new show from Riding Lights Theatre Company is out on tour, and the story of a farming family facing the trials and tribulations of of growing older and caring for their eldest relative with dementia is proving to be a compelling one. With the piece developed from two years’ worth of workshops and research with dementia patients and carers, it’s well informed and tackles a tough subject in an intelligent and considered manner. As moving as it is comedic, the three generations that form the family deal with joy and struggle as they show just what life can really be like.